Building construction



March 25, 1930. A, BEMIS 1,752,058

' BUILDING conswnuc'riou' Filed Ma -15,1927 s Sheets-Sheet 1 'March 25,1930. E I 1,752,058

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION I Filed May 13, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 11 may?March 25, A. F. BEMIS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 15, 1927 5Sheet-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 25,1939

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE ALBERT I. amns, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS,ASSIGNOB '10 3m MUM INC., OI BOS'I'ON, MASSACHUSETTS. A CORPORATION OFDELAWARE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Application ma m 13, 1927. sum in.191,044.

This invention relates to an improved building construction and in someas ects comprises an improvement upon the su ject matter ofinycope'nding application, Serial No. 149,755, filed November 20, 1926.

This construction utilizes preformed -or standardized units which may beassembled in situ and which are. adapted to receive cementitiousmaterial poured therebetween in urder to. provide an unusually strongand rigid wall structure, the arrangement and design of the partspermitting the ready installation of floors, roofs and the'li-ke andthesecuring of doors, windows or the like in place in the walls. Thestandardized parts may be made of comparatively light material and withnormal dimensions so that they may be easily transported andassembledand are so designed that comparatively little skill is re '20quired inbringing them into proper alignmentor interfitting relation.Thus the cost of labor as well as the cost of materials for a buildingof this character may be compara-.

- uilding may be of semi-fireproof or fireproof construction and isunusually sturdy and rugged. The Walls have highly satisfac toryacoustic properties whereby resonance is avoided andsound tends to beabsorbed, and are substantially impervious to the attacks of moisture'orvermin.

i This type of building construction is designed to utilize preformedslabs of heat-insulating material, preferably matted fibrous materialwhich may be in the form of elongate fibrous strips of small crosssection, e. g., excelsior or the like, boundtogether with apgropriatecementitious material, not only to old the fibrous strips in firmlybound meshed or reticulated engagement but also to render the samesubstantially fireproof and mois ture-proof. Preferably these slabs areof ribbed formation being provided with corrugated or undulatorysurfaces, individual undulations being separated by uniformly spacedgrooves of a. defined width. The material is loosely matted to rovidenumerous insulating spaces or air ee s and is of comparatively lightweight so that it may be readily handled. Preferably the undulatorysurfaces are so arranged as to provide the slabs of fibrous materialwith portions of different thicknesses, the amount of material in thevarious parts of the slab being substantially the same, but the fibrouselements being more loosely matted at the parts of the slab between thegrooves so that these portions of the slab are rovided with additionalheat-insulating gua ities and are adapted more efiectively to nterlockwith cement-itious material poured into engagement'w'ith the same.Material of this character is adapted to permit the setting of concreteor the like under the most satisfactory conditions, since the excesswater of plasticity will at first be taken u from the concrete and willlater be absor ed by the same as setting continues. I

The above and further objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent to those skilled in. the art upon a reading of the sub o1neddescription and claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a broken vertical section through a portion of a house builtin accordance with the form of building construction disclosed herein;

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a portion of the building, parts beingremoved and parts being broken awa Fig. 4 is a similar view of anotherportion of the buildin Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of an outer cornerof the building;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through a ortion of the building walladjoining a cor or window frame;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through a joint between walls of thebuilding;

Fig. 8 is a similar view of the intersection of walls;

Fig. 9 is a detail isometric view of a portion of the preferred form ofslab used for a buildingconstruction of this type;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross section of the same; v

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail; and

Fig. 12 is a section on line 12-12 of Fig. l.

A building of the type disclosed in the accompanying drawings mayreferably be erected upon a foundation 1' o' cementitious material suchas concrete. When this foundation is poured, dowels 2 are located in itsupper surface at appropriate points where uprights or posts aresubsequently to be erected. -Furthermore, suitable bolts 3 may beembedded in the foundation and pro e ct upwardly therefromin order toengage 8111 members 5 which may extend along the inner portions ofcertain parts of the foundation to provide means for securing the lowerfloor joints 25 thereon.

Suitable posts 8, 9, 10, 11 of wood, metal, cementitious material, orthe like'are preformed with standardized dimensions and are located atthe corners of walls, wall intersections, or at the sides of door orwindow casings. These posts preferably have recesses 12 formed in theirlower ends which are adapted to engage the dowels or pins: 2 projectingfrom the foundation 1, so that the posts may quickly be erected orlocated substantially in an upright position merely by engaging recesses12 with dowels 2 (Fig. 11.).

Posts 8 which are located at the corners of walls preferably are ofL-shaped cross section, as disclosed more particularly in Figs. 3 and 5.Posts 9, which are located adjoining door or window casings, may be ofrectangular section, as shown; posts 10 which arelocated at theintersection of walls may be of T-shaped section, as shown in Fig. 7,while posts 11 at the intersection or crossing of walls may be ofcross-shaped section, as shown. These posts preferably correspond inheights substantially to the height of a story of the building to beerected and may be formed of wood, metal or other suitable material.

Along the upper ends of the posts I secure suitable girt ties 26,thereby forming a braced skeleton frame. Preferably these girt ties arein the form of a pair of elongate strips superimposed upon each otherand provided with registering openings 19 for purposes which willpresently be described.

After the posts for a wall portion have been erected in the mannerindicated, I preferably secure the lower course of slabs 15 thereto. Theconstruction of these slabs is illustrated more in detail in Fig. 9.Preferably the slabs' are formed of elongate strips of ligneous materialof small cross section, such as excelsior formed by knifing pieces ofwood into small strips. The fibrous material is loosely matted and mayhave portions lightly compressed while it is impregnated with a suitablecementitious agent which preferably renders the material fire resistantand moisture resistant; magnesite cement bein one of the materials whichhas been evolve for this purpose.

These slabs preferably are formed with corrugations or undulatoryportlons 17 in which sulating and sound-absor tive properties andpermitthese portions 0 the slab to have a secure interlocking engagement withcementitious material poured against the same,-

while the more closely compacted "portions 11 provide the slabs withsuflicient structural strength and are adapted to engage studs in themanner indicated below.

The lower course of slabs 15 may be loose-- ly secured to the posts 8,9, 10 or 11, the slabs preferably having such a length that end portionsthereof engage the posts. Preferably, slabs of this character arepreformed of standardized dimensions and are especially useful inbuilding constructions in which the posts are arranged at appropriatemultiples of modularx distances, corresponding to the spacing of thegrooves 18 upon the slabs, so that provision of only a few sizes ofslabs is necessary in order to fulfill the requirements of any givenbuilding construction. It is to be understood, however, that thepreferred materials from which the slabs 15 are. made permit of readycutting or sawing of the same.

When the lower course of slabs is first secured upon the upright poststhe slabs preferably are rather loosely assembled upon the posts. Oneconvenient method of doing this is to nail or otherwise secure the slabsto .one side of the posts, for example, the slab upon the inner side ofthe wall under construction may be nailed against the posts in theconventional manner, while the slab upon the outer face of the wallunder construction may be loosely secured to the post by only securingit by one nail passing through the lower portion of the slab so that theupper edge of the slab may be moved outward somewhat in relation to thepost and the adjoining slab. Thereupon, studs/20, which are ofstandardized cross section, and which may be of wood, metal or the like,are assembled upon the foundation 1, the grooves 18 upon the oppositeslabs being adapted to engage the studs and the loose arrangement of oneof the slabs being adapted to permit ready insertion ofthe stud insubstantial alignment with adjoinin studs, Thereupon, the looselymounted sla 1,708,060 I is brought into firm d with the this water tothe concrete when setting posts, and both slabs are rmly' secured tohas-but artiall finished.

the studs.- Succeedingcourses of slabs ,are then attached to oppositefaces of the studs and posts until the construction reaches-the heightof approximatel one story, where-, upon the outer layer 0 slabs may becontinned upward above the girtties 26, as designated b numeral 27. v

The oor joists 29 for the second floor may be located upon the girt ties26 in the manner shown. Between these floor joists I may locate certains acer or form boards 31 (Fig. 1). These form ards cooperate with endsof joists 29 and with the outer course of slabs 27 to provide a form forpouringiementitious material, such as concrete. is material may then bepoured between members 27 and 31 and will pass through openings 19 intothe 20 spaces between the inner and outer layers of slabs and theadjoining studs so that a substantially monolithic concrete structure isprovided into which the ends of the joists are eye The girt ties 26 maybe provided with suitable pins corresponding to pins 2 in the foundationto engage the posts for the second story, which is erected in a manneranalogous to that described with reference to the first 30 story, exceptthat the, cementitious material may not reach higher than the upperportion of the slabs and that the girt ties 49 at the top of the secondstory, assuming that a twostory building is being built, fillsubstantially the full width of the wall.

In order to. provide continuous surfaces upon the buildin walls for theapplication of any suitable finis ing material such as plaster orstucco, I provide suitable filler slabs 60 40 which are shaped to fillthe spaces between the ends of standard slabs 15 adjoining posts 8, 9and 10.

A building construction of this type has many advantages, beinginexpensive and rev quiring the minimum of time and of skilled laborupon the building site in the erection of the building construction. Thestandardized posts and studs are comparatively light and are easilyassembled in position. The 60 slabs 15 are very light and are shaped tofacilitate alignment of the studs in position as well as belng morefirmly sccured thereto, due to their interfitting engagement therewithand coincidently the studs serve proper- 1y to align or locate theslabs. The matted formation of the slabs provides the walls withexcellent heat-insulatin and sound-absorptive properties and is a aptedto cause the setting of the intermediate concrete layer in the bestpossible manner,-not only interlocking with the concrete to form a firmbond therewith, but taking up the superfluous water of plasticity whenthe concrete is first poured wlthout carrying the same outward to theouter faces of the wall, and giving up A bui din c this type isadaptable to the various in ifications and use with the various factorsusuall incorporated in a building, for example, ig. 2 showsthe locationof a partition upon a concrete wall 201, suitable sills 202 being boltedto the wall in the manner described with reference to the foun- 'dation1 and sills 2 of Fig. 1. Upon these sills the flo'or'joists 24 arelocated in 'the conventional manner, while a space is providedtherebe'tween for the interpositionof slabs- 29 and the formation of awall similar to that previously described. Obviously, certain spacesbetween certain studs may be left free of cementitious material, ifdesired, in order to provide a lighter and more economical construction,such an arrangement being more suitable for interior partitions.

Fig. 6 discloses the arrangement of the wall at the door or windowcasing, the filler slabs being located upon each face of the post 9 andthe edge of this post being adapted to receive the casing nailedthereto. The spaces between the edges of the filler slabsand the casingma be filled with plaster or stucco designate by numerals 29 and 30,respectively, these stucco and plaster layers being applied to the wallby a gun or in any conventional manner.

While my disclosure shows excelsior slabs, wood studs and posts andconcrete poured between the slabs, it should be understood that theslabs may be of any other light material so long as they are essential]of the shape disclosed in Fig. 9, that stu s, posts and joists may be ofsteel, precast concrete, gypsum lumber or the like, and that anycementitious material may be poured in the spaces between the slabs.

I claim:

1. A wall construction comprising a row of parallel studs, slabs ateither side of the studs, said slabs bein formed with grooved undulatoryinner aces which provide grogves in interfitting engagement with saidstu s.

2. A wall construction comprising a row of parallel studs, slabs ofloosely matted fibrous material at either side of the studs, said slabsbeing formedwith grooved undulatory inner faces which rovide grooves ininterfitting engagement w1th said studs.

3. A wall construction comprising a row of parallel studs, slabs ofloosely matted fibrous material at either side'of the studs, said slabsbeing formed with ooved undulatory inner faces which provi e grooves ininterfitting engagement with said studs, the matted fibrous materialbeing more compactly arranged adjoining said grooves than between thesame.

4. A wall construction comprising a row. of parallel studs, slabs ofheat-insulating mano A terial at either side of the studs, said slabssaid slabs bein formed with undulatory inner faces whic provide groovesin interfitting engagement with said studs, and cementitious materialpoured in certain. of the spaces defined by adjoining studs and opposedslabs, said cementitious material havmg a firm interlocking enga ementwith loosely'matted material of the s abs.

- in firm interlocking 6. A wall construction comprising a row ofparallel studs, slabs at either side of the studs, said slabs beingformed with undulatory inner faces which provide ooves in 1nterfittingengagement with said studs, and cementitious material poured in certainof the spaces defined by adjoining studs and opposed slabs, said slabshaving rough-surfaces Y engagement w1th the cementitious material.

7. A wall construction comprising a row of parallel studs, slabs ofloosely matted fibrous material at either side of the studs, said .slabsbeing formed with undulatory 1nner faces which provide grooves ininterfitting engagement with said studs, and cementitious materialpoured in certaln of the paces defined by adjoining studs and opposedslabs.

8. A wall construction comprlsmg a row of parallel studs, slabs ateither side of the studs, said slabs being formed of loosely mattedelongate fibrous strips bound by an adhesive impregnating agent, saidslabs being provided withundulatory inner faces which comprises groovesin interfitting engagement with said studs.

9. A wall construction comprising a row of parallel studs, slabs ateither side of the studs, said slabs being formed of loosely mattedelongate fibrous strips bound by an adhesive impregnating agent, saidslabs being provided with undulatory inner faces which comprise groovesin interfitting engagement with said studs, said impregnating agentserving to provide a non-moisture absorbing, substantially fire-proofcoating for the slabs.

10. The method of building construction which comprises the provision ofa fun dation, the location of upright posts upon the foundation,securing a lower course of grooved slabs in loose engagement withopposite faces of the posts, locating studs in alignment at appropriateintervals upon the foundation by engaging them in certain grooves, ofsaid slabs, securing the lower slabs firmly to the posts and to thestuds thereby bringing the parts accurately into alignment, andsecuring' additional courses of slabs to the studs.

11..A' method ofbuilding construction which comprises the provision of afoundation, the location of.pins. at modular distances upon saidfoundation to en age recesses in upright posts, the location 0 uprighttion, the location of upright posts upon the foundation, securing of alower course of grooved slabs in loose engagement with o posite faces ofthe posts, locating studs 1n alignment at appropriate intervals upon thefoundation by engaging them in certain grooves, upon said slabs,securing theslower slabs firmly to the posts and to the studs therebybringing them accurately into alignment, and securing additional coursesof slabs to the studs, mounting rangers with openings thereinregistering with spaces between slabs upon the upper ends of said studsand pouring cementitious material through said openings into saidspaces.

13. The method of building construction which comprises the provision ofa foundation, the location of upright posts upon the foundation,securing .of a lower course of grooved slabs in loose engagement withopposite faces of the posts, locating studs in alignment at appropriateintervals upon the foundation by engaging them in certain grooves uponsaid slabs, securing the lower slabs firmly to the posts and to thestuds thereby bringing them accurately into alignment and securingadditional courses of slabs to the studs, mounting rangers with openingstherein registering with spaces'between slabs upon the upper ends ofsaid studs and pouring cementitious material through said openings intosaid spaces, and forming another story by locating posts and studs abovesaid rangers, locating a course of slabs upon the outer side of the walladjoining said rangers, placing'the ends of floor joists upon the inneredgesof the rangers, locating form and space: members between the endsof said rangers and having cementitious material between said slabs andform boards at the ends of said joists.

.14. A slab comprising matted strands of fibrous material held togetherby a cementitious binder, said slab having a flat face and an opplositeface having parallel depressions wh1c are spaced by bulging portionswhereby the slab is provided with a plurality of parallel regions ofminimum area, the matted material being substantially uniformlydstributedthroughout these portions, whereby the strands are looselymatted in the bulging portions to permit ready interlocking with pouredcement or the like and whereby the depressed portions are adapted morereadily to receive and hold nails to secure the slabs to frame elementsengaging these portions.

15. A slab comprising matted strands of fibrous material held togetherby a cementitious binder, said slab having a fiat face and an oppositeface having parallel depressions with flat faces in parallelism with thefiat face of the slab, said depressions being spaced by bulgin portionswhereby the slab is provided wit 1 a plurality of parallel regions ofminimum area, the matted material being substantially uniformlydistributed throughout these regions, whereby the strands are looselymatted in the bulging portions to permit ready interlocking with pouredcement or the like and whereby the depressed portions are adapted morereadily to engage and be secured to frame elements.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts this

